Widow, son of Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer found shot, killed in West Side Chicago home
The widow and son of late Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer were found shot to death on Chicago's West Side on Tuesday in an apparent murder-suicide.
Barbara Deer, 51, and son Kaleb Deer, 23, were found dead in a home in the 3500 block of West Arthington Street in the Homan Square community at 5:50 p.m. Wednesday, officials said. Their identities were released by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.
Barbara Deer suffered three gunshot wounds to her chest, while Kaleb Deer suffered a single gunshot wound to his head, authorities said. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Chicago police.
A weapon was recovered at the scene, police said.
Autopsies determined Barbara Deer died of multiple gunshot wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner's office. Kaleb Deer died of a gunshot wound to the head, and his death was ruled a suicide.
Public records confirmed that Barbara Deer was the widow of Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer, and Kaleb Deer was her son.
Dennis Deer died in June 2024 at the age of 51. He was appointed to the 2nd District Cook County Board seat in 2017 a Commissioner Robert Steele died. Deer was elected to a full term as a county commissioner in 2018 and reelected in 2022.
The Chicago Federation of Labor released a statement about the deaths, writing, "The Deer Family is a part of the CFL Family. They have always been advocates for social and economic justice, public health, and visibility for those often overlooked. As we grapple with the tragic deaths of Barbara and Kaleb, I'm comforted by the memory of my dear friend Dennis, whose enduring spirit lives with me every day.
"It is with that spirit that we will work to continue the legacy of the Deers in all the ways that they supported the Lawndale Communities and beyond, as we comfort and pray for the Deer Family."
Alderman Stephanie Coleman called the deaths "inconceivable and unthinkable."
"The Deer family have been such pillars of the westside community for over twenty years, and they have given much to the upward mobility of the city of Chicago," Coleman said in part in a written statement.